President William Ruto has ordered that the newly constructed Wajir Stadium be renamed Ahmed Khalif Wajir Stadium in honour of the late former Cabinet Minister Ahmed Mohammed Khalif.

The President made the announcement on Monday, June 1, 2026 during the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations held in Wajir County, the first time in Kenya’s history that the national event has been hosted in the North Eastern region.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ruto assured residents that the facility would be completed to international standards before officially bearing the late leader’s name.

“I want to assure you that this stadium, which we have built within a short period of time, I will ensure that it is completed and upgraded to international standards,” he said.

The Head of State noted that he had listened to calls from local leaders and residents seeking to have the stadium named after Ahmed Khalif, a respected political figure from the region.

“And once this stadium is completed, as you have requested, and I agree with you one hundred percent, this stadium will be named Ahmed Khalif Wajir Stadium,” Ruto announced.

The decision honours the legacy of Ahmed Khalif, the former Wajir West Member of Parliament who served as Minister for Labour and Manpower Development in President Mwai Kibaki’s administration.

He became the first Cabinet Minister from Wajir before his life was cut short in a plane crash in Busia on January 24, 2003, barely three weeks after joining the Cabinet.

The renaming follows a proposal by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, who had appealed to the national government to immortalise Khalif’s contribution to public service and the development of the region.

The 10,000-seater stadium, built by the Kenya Defence Forces in approximately three months, features an artificial turf football pitch, an eight-lane running track, VIP lounges and modern spectator facilities.

The move is expected to preserve the memory of one of Northern Kenya’s most prominent political leaders more than two decades after his death.